Viswanathan Anand seeks sixth title at World chess championship

Chennai: World Chess Championship match between defending champion Viswanathan Anand and challenger Magnus Carlsen of Norway begins from Saturday with the experts divided over who will walk away with the coveted title.

Anand has seen similar situations before while Carlsen is playing his first match in a World Championship. So, while then orwegian enjoys the tag of a favourite, his mannerisms thus far have suggested that he is gullible like any other youngster in a certain sense.

Twirling in his chair, scratching his head while answering questions during the first press conference here yesterday, Carlsen gave the impression of someone tense but exuded confidence once the tete-a-tete was over.

Anand, who has won World Championship matches in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, is used to open with black pieces in World Championship matches.

Against Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in Bonn in 2008 and against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 2010, Anand had started with black, which is known as a slightly unfavourable colour in the game, and yet won in style. In 2012 though, Anand had white in game one against Boris Gelfand of Israel.

Seeking his sixth title, Anand looked upbeat ahead of the biggest challenge of his life while Carlsen seemed to get the game going. The mind games have just begun and much would unfold once the match starts tomorrow.

Whether Anand’s preparation holds him in good stead or Carlsen will play his typical long games to grind out the reigning world champion Indian will have to be seen.